Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1887-04-07
"No. I do not know you. 1haye not

81 can not" she replied, and she won
dered why her face was scorched with
bushes.
"Then l must introduce myself to you
Lady STAIR" he said. ~ am Captain
Darcy Este, a cousin Of Lord Stair, con-
sequently cousin OF yours, and very
fortunate man | am"
Her face frightened. Youth always
loves youth.
"Are you Captain Este?" she said.
IL am glad to see you. Certainly my
husband has often spoken Of you. You
are going, of course, to the T0wers?"
"Yes Lord Stair has always been
very kind to me, and has insisted that 1
should make my home at the Towers.
Indeed l have never had any other
home."
II did not know that" she said.
HAS my cousin never told your" he
asked.
mo" she replied;'I do not remem-
ber"
II can not flatter myself that have
been much thought Of" he said, and
there was just enough of pain and bitter
ness in his voice to make her resolve
upon being kind to him.
Il am very glad you are coming to
.
his face frightened,
He sat down by her side and looked
around him with an air of pleasure
"You are very good to me-" he said.
MY cousin wrote me when he was
married, and | have often wondered
what his wife would be like. What a
lovely morning this is. How beautiful
Oakclltfe looks. | suppose you know
why this place is called Oakcliffe?"
81 have never heard, ;" she replied.
''The finest oak-trees in England
stand here" he said. 'Some of them
are hundreds Of years old. Has my
cousin shown you the kings oak and
the giant oak"
"No," she replied, blushing again
that he had not done SO. Lord Stair
is always so busy, always so engrossed."
"Ah, well! l will have plenty of spare
time, and if you admire trees, and will
enjoy it, L will show you every famous
oak in the park"
IL have seen some very wonderful
trees she said, "but did not know
there was anything especial about them.
l shall enjoy it. | have a peculiar love
for trees. There is nothing in nature
love so we'll"
He turned to her suddenly.
'Is Lady Perth still at the Towers?"
he asked, with great energy. He saw
how the beautiful face saddened as
Lady Stair answered Yes her voice
lost its cheerful ring and fell. ''She
will be there always, suppose" she
continued.
Il felt sure she would go when my
cousin married." said Captain Este.
IF 1t be fair question, how do you
get on with herr"
IL do not get on at ALL" replied Lady
Stair.
at is no wonder" he said. "My
aunt Thamer is the only person in the
world whom | thoroughly dislike. |
love the Towers, but she spoiled all my
visits there. Why did she not leave
! when you came?"
Il suppose they thought [ was too
young"
"You do not mean to say that she is
mistress?" he cried, interrupting her.
$50 all intents and purposes" she
answered, trying to laugh, while a
scarlet flush betrayed her.
"What monsterous idea" he said.
~ must confess myself bitterly disap-
pointed; had anticipated The Towers, >
without Lady Thamer."
He laughed as he added
| w ny my uear Lazy OCalr, now DO
| you hold your own?'
Il do not hold it," she replied. "But
! would rather not talk about Lady
Perth. Tell me about yourself; where
has your regiment been staying? what
leave of absence have you?"
1--WE have been at Gibralter for the
last three years. he replied, 'and |
have six months leave of absence
"SiX months" she repeated. dreamily.
She was thinking to herself how pleas
ant 1t would be to have companion
during the long summer days; how
pleasant to see that handsome young
face and laughing eyes; how delight
full to have some one her own age with
whom she could talk at will, sing. dance.
walk, quarrel at times, s1r make
friends; above all, how charming to
have some one with her who was not
inclined to think Lady Perth infalable
as her husband did; some one who
would, perhaps, take up her defence
against that illustrious lady. and would
believe that she UNDERSTOOD sunbeam"
Her heart quite warmed to this newly
found friend. She turned to him with
a bright face.
II am so glad you will be here all
summer, it will be much more cheer
full"
She did not know what an admission
she had made in saying this. He
looked at her keenly and guessed her
story.
81 am very inhospitable," she said,
you must be tired and hungry, come
with me to the Towers, Lord Stair,
will be very pleased to see you"
They walked together through the
park, and Lady Stair found herself talk
ing to this young soldier as though she
had known him all her life.
Another self; not the quiet girl who
said little and laughed less, but a self
full Of high spirits, laughter and ANNA
ton. She had been 80 very quiet lately
that the sounl of her own laughter
startled her; why should she not laugh?
the sun was shining, everything was
fair and gay, she had not felt 80 happy
for some long time.
Lord Stair had noe much time for talk
ing, or laughing. Lady Perth never
laughed, for the simple reason that she
saw little to laugh at.
"How bright the world seems to-day"
she said, as they walked along the
broad, white terraces, where great
vases were filled with crimson flowers,
and he looked at the beautiful uncon-
scious face; she had not the least idea
that he had frightened it for her.
at Is grand old house " he said, as
he gazed at the noble pile of buildings.
81 know what is the best, brightest,
beautiful, and most precious thing In it,"
| she said pailv